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1. Internxt
Internxt Drive is the best cloud storage for personal use to secure your files with unmatched privacy. Internxt proves that while some companies may be the most popular cloud storage providers, signing up with companies such as Google gives them access to your personal data. In doing so, Google can track your location, sell your data for ads, and more.
Internxt, therefore, is a private alternative to Google, offering a secure, private platform for your storage needs. Above all else, Internxt protects your data and files with:
- End-to-end encryption ensures your data is scrambled from the moment it leaves your device, protecting it from data leaks and hacks.
- Zero-knowledge philosophies mean Internxt cannot access your data at any point, demonstrating its commitment to user privacy.
- GDPR compliant Compliance with GDPR means Internxt has strong safeguards to protect your data, including access control and data breach notification procedures.
Aside from that, an Internxt subscription gives you access to secure cloud storage, and Internxt Send, a secure file-sending service to transfer encrypted files of up to 5GB. Additional features of Internxt that make it the best cloud storage for personal use include
- Password-protected file sharing for secure collaboration.
- Streaming of music and video files up to 100MB.
- Account protection protocols: download a backup key to protect your Internxt account from hacks.
- Free tools, such as a password generator and temporary email.
You can sign up to Internxt for free to access all these features and up to 10GB. Internxt offers flexible storage plans of
- 200GB
- 2TB
- 5TB
- 10TB
Lifetime plans are also available. For the best cloud storage for personal use, privacy, and security protocols, subscribe to Internxt for complete peace of mind that your files are safe and your data is protected.
For up to 10GB of free storage, subscribe to Internxt for free.
Google Drive
Google Drive is one of the most popular cloud services out there, there’s no denying it. But there’s also no denying that signing up to Google Drive requires giving them access to:
- Personal information: Your name, phone number, gender, date of birth
- Where you live
- Where you work
- Your interests
- Things you search for
- Websites you visit
- And much, much more.
If you choose Google Drive, you should be aware that Google is not a zero-knowledge company, meaning Google manages encryption and decryption on its servers, allowing them to access your files if needed under certain circumstances.
However, Google does have powerful security protocols in place, so your files are encrypted at rest and in transit. Still, other methods to how Google treats your data are left to be desired, which is why so many people are choosing more privacy-focused solutions and eliminating Google from their lives.
However, Google is popular for its collaboration features and live editing of documents, a valuable tool for people looking to work together on documents with live editing capabilities. Other services, such as Gmail and Google Meet, are included with a free account.
Google Drive also offers a generous 15GB of free storage, so if you want to store files that don’t hold confidential or sensitive data, Google Drive is a viable option, but may not be the best cloud storage for your privacy.
OneDrive
OneDrive is a popular alternative to Google Drive, especially for Windows users, due to its easy integration into the Windows ecosystem. With a free OneDrive account, you get 5GB of storage and access to
- Microsoft Teams: For video calls or conferences
- Sharepoint: Document management and storage system
- Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
- Outlook: a popular email alternative to Gmail
OneDrive is available on all devices except Linux, but with your chosen device, you can access your files without downloading them. You can also download and make files available online to contribute to team projects without an internet connection.
For file sharing, you can protect your shared files with a unique PIN, and for additional protection of your files, you can store confidential files with a unique encryption key protected by a set of master keys in the Azure Key Vault.
However, the best cloud backup services do not hold the encryption keys to your data; this is where OneDrive falls short. Microsoft encrypts your files and holds the master keys to decrypt them. As a result, this may put your data at risk of being decrypted and viewed by Microsoft. However, policies are in place to prevent Microsoft employees from accessing data.
If you’re a dedicated Microsoft user, therefore, OneDrive may be the best cloud storage for personal use or your business. Although there are no reports of a data breach from Microsoft, you should consider methods to protect your data from major corporations such as Microsoft.
iCloud
iCloud is the next addition, and for Apple users, it integrates perfectly with iOS devices and Apple gadgets. Apple comes with 5GB of free storage included with your account, which includes access to:
- iCloud Drive: cloud storage
- iCloud Mail: email alternative to Outlook and Gmail
- Passwords and Keychain: password management tool
- Hide My Mail: keep your email private
- Sheets, Keynotes, and Pages: for document collaboration
For privacy-concerned users who want an alternative from big tech companies, iCloud may not be the best cloud backup solution, as they’re another company that holds the keys to decrypt your data.
Nevertheless, if you are an avid Apple user and need document collaboration tools, a password manager, and an extensive suite of document collaboration products, Apple pricing starts at $0.99 for 50GB of storage. If you’re looking for privacy-focused cloud storage however, there are several other options available outside the Apple product suite.
Nextcloud
If you have the tech know-how and resources, Nextcloud offers a self-hosting cloud solution and is the best cloud backup for users interested in storing their data from your home or office. Nextcloud offers self-hosting file storage, file syncing, and collaboration tools, which are:
- Nextcloud Talk: private audio, video conferencing, and text chat
- Nextcloud Groupware: Calendar, Contacts, and Mail
- Nextcloud Office: a LibreOffice-based online suite
With Nextcloud, you have three options to store your files which are broken down into three options:
Simple sign-up: This option gives you a dedicated server managed by others, but with limited features and reliance on a third party.
- Host your server: This path grants complete control, but demands technical expertise to set up and maintain your server.
- Run from home router: If you prefer a plug-and-play solution, compatible routers offer basic Nextcloud functionality.
Nextcloud also offers the recommended accessories to help you set up your server at home, starting from €99 for a basic Raspberry Pi, and up to €399 for a HomeDrive N7 with Nextcloud pre-installed.
Therefore, choosing Nextcloud may become a more expensive option for users looking for more cost-effective cloud storage, with pricing starting at Basic: 37.49€/user/year for a minimum of 100 users.
Security-wise, Nextcloud implements end-to-end encryption, advanced software to check if your password has been compromised, and machine learning-based login detection. However, companies will require a cybersecurity expert to ensure security on self-hosted servers is efficient enough to prevent security attacks.
So, while Nextcloud offers some interesting features and has made its mark in the self-hosting cloud market, it may be the best cloud backup for tech enthusiasts, but not so much for people looking for a quick solution to sign up for an account and start storing their files.
Box
Box is widely regarded as the best cloud storage for business because of its unlimited storage options. Although not necessarily the best cloud storage for personal use, Box is another alternative to Google for businesses because it offers its own content cloud and collaboration platform: Box Notes.
Box also has Box Canvas, a tool for creatives to conduct online workshops, collaborate on ideas, leave live comments and suggestions, etc. Another feature to consider if you’re looking for the best cloud storage for business is Box, which integrates with over 1000 tools, like Zoom or Slack, to integrate collaboration tools in your workflow easily.
If cybersecurity for business is your priority, Box implements:
- Transport Layer Security: Box uses TLS, a secure protocol that protects data transmitted between a web server and a browser.
- Multifactor authentication: Additional security for your account in addition to your password.
- File access controls: Set permissions on who can edit, view, or download files.
- Trusted devices: Prevent unauthorized users from accessing sensitive information and work well with companies implementing cybersecurity practices in the workplace.
Finally, Box takes the pain away from signing and waiting for physical documents to be signed with an e-signature feature to secure important contracts and documents within teams or departments.
If you want a single box account, you can expect to pay €12 per month for 100GB of storage, which is very expensive, so you may need a more affordable cloud alternative. Business plans are on a per-user/month basis, starting at €13.50, including all of Box’s features and unlimited storage.
Tresorit
If you need an alternative to Box but still need to provide the best cloud storage for business in your company, Tresorit offers features similar to Box. While Tresorit also offer individual plans, what makes it one of the best cloud storage for businesses is its product suite that emphasizes privacy, which is
- Tresorit eSign: Digital e-signatures for business or personal documents.
- Tresorit EmailEncryption: Send encrypted, private emails.
- Tresorit FileSharing: Encrypt sensitive documents and manage permissions.
On top of that, you have Tresorit Cloud, offering cloud storage and syncing with end-to.end encryption. Tresorit is also a zero-knowledge provider, meaning unlike previous entries in this list, such as Google, Tresorit can never decrypt or access your files.
Finally, Tresorit follows Swiss privacy laws. These privacy laws and the EU privacy laws that Internxt adheres to are regarded as the most secure and private laws companies must follow to protect your data.
Tresorit plans start at €11,99 for 1TB for individual plans, which is quite an expensive option as Internxt offers double the storage for less. Business plans for Tresorit start at €15 per user/month for 1TB.
So, if you need the best cloud storage for business, Box or Tresorit are your best options. If you want to more apps into your workflow, Box is a suitable option; if you want a zero-knowledge provider, then Tresorit can fit your business needs.
pCloud
Since 2013, pCloud has offered cloud storage with an emphasis on secure sharing features to share photos, documents, and media files securely. Like Internxt, it is available on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux.
pCloud is popular for its media streaming capabilities, which makes it one of the best cloud storage platforms thanks to pCloud’s integrated music player to create personalized playlists of your favorite tracks. Kodi users can also stream videos from the platform by downloading an unofficial add-on.
One thing to note with pCloud is that while it offers security features such as client-side encryption and two-factor authentication, zero-knowledge encryption comes as at an additional cost of $49 a year or a one-time payment of $150. Monthly plans start at $4.99 for 500GB.
If you want a cloud platform to integrate your media downloads and host your playlists, pCloud is one solution to consider. Still, zero-knowledge is not included, so you may want to consider other options where zero-knowledge is a part of your subscription.
Icedrive
Icedrive is a UK-based cloud company offering, you guessed it, cloud storage with data encryption for its mobile, web, and desktop apps. You can interact with your cloud storage on Windows with Virtual Drive.
Icedrive’s virtual drive feature allows you to store, upload, and sync your documents like a physical hard drive in the cloud. However, users trying to integrate files from Windows to MacOS with Icedrive have experienced data loss and problems recognizing certain files, which users will later have to re-upload, so consider this if you are a Mac user.
Icedrive is also one of the few cloud storage providers that use Twofish encryption rather than the industry standard AES-256 encryption. However, Twofish is equally as secure as AES, but as Twofish can support longer encryption keys for your files, it may result in slower upload speeds.
Icedrive offers up to 10GB of free storage, but this does not include encryption for your files and is not open source. If you want the best cloud storage for personal use that encrypts files for free, consider other alternatives to Icedrive. Otherwise, pricing starts at €6 a month for 1TB of storage.
PROTON
Proton Drive is a part of Proton’s product suite. Although they focus more on encrypted email, you can still store up to 5GB of your files for free with a Proton account, which gives you access to:
- Proton Mail: encrypted, private email
- Proton VPN: Secure your Wi-Fi and keep your location private
- Proton Pass: A secure password manager
Proton Drive follows Swiss privacy laws and implements end-to-end encryption, so not even Proton can access your files. Proton Drive also includes file-sharing features to password-protect your files and set expiration dates for shared documents for increased file management control.
Proton Drive is part of a larger product suite, but for €3.99, you get 200GB of storage, and if you want access to Proton’s full range of products, this will cost €9.99 with 500GB of storage included.
However, Proton may be a more expensive option if you only need cloud storage, so you should decide on your cloud storage needs before committing to a subscription.
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